Increasing Both Atmosphere and Grit - A Review of Lords of Black's Alchemy of Souls Part II

Alchemy of Souls Part II follows only eleven months after its extraordinary predecessor and marks the fifth studio record of Spanish heavy metal quartet Lords of Black. This record offers thirteen songs with a generous running time of sixty-six minutes. Despite the impressive length, this record focuses overall on mid-paced and mid-length traditional heavy metal tunes. While the predecessor also offered epic tracks breaking the ten-minute mark and ballads below the three-minute mark, this output sounds overall more focused, homogeneous and streamlined. This different approach is an interesting shift and one certainly can't accuse the band of keeping things safe here.

This record certainly includes some truly addictive tracks with single potential. The moody and almost gothic-influenced short keyboard passages in the sinister ''Bound to You'' remind of The Vision Bleak but the soothing chorus certainly brings back melodic heavy metal stylistics at their very best which makes for a very interesting combination.

''Before That Time Can Come'' was rightfully chosen as first single with an accompanying music video. This song also has a moodier tone with gloomy symphonic keyboard sounds, elegant piano melodies, low guitar riffs, stoic rhythm section and melancholic vocals performing dramatic lyrics. This song almost develops a cinematic atmosphere while its chorus is so catchy because the vocals can fully unfold their mixture between throaty grit and harmonious notes.

Up next comes ''Mind Killer'' that is much more aggressive in tone with thunderous drum patterns and powerful bass rhythms that will undoubtedly make your head bang. The mysterious keyboard melodies contrast the gritty undertones in a balanced way. The vocals meander between both extremes with raw sections in the verses and more dramatic passages in the chorus. This kind of song should also please gothic metal fans.

For those who like it grittier and would like to listen to a song on the thin line between traditional heavy metal and mid-paced thrash metal, this record's longest tune ''Fated to Be Destroyed'' certainly delivers the goods. The song sounds like a Megadeth track from the mid-nineties but with a much more gifted singer who finds once again the perfect balanced between grit and harmony.

This album also includes an interesting bonus track with album closer ''Sympathy'' that is in fact a Uriah Heep cover. This version here sounds more dynamic, melodic and playful than the original tune and is also about two and a half minutes longer. Especially the harmonious guitar play and the uplifting vocals manage to stand out here. It's certainly no easy task to equal the remarkable quality of hard rock legends Uriah Heep but Lords of Black have not only matched but even surpassed it.

At the end of the day, Lords of Black's Alchemy of Souls Part II is a worthy successor to the first part. While the predecessor was more creative, diversified and fresh, this output here sounds more focused, homogeneous and streamlined. There are no soothing ballads or progressive epics to be found but eleven heavy metal anthems, one very decent cover song and a short instrumental opener. An interesting addition are the moody keyboards that give several tracks are cold. haunting and mysterious tone that should also please gothic metal fans. The variable vocals, dynamic rhythm section and energetic guitar play are as excellent as usual from these experts. Those who are already familiar with the first part, should certainly purchase this sequel despite a few fillers in the middle section. For those who have never heard of the band, you should simply buy both records if you are looking for some creative, emotional and powerful heavy metal.

 Final Rating: 85%